OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 10:49 AM – Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Two inmates who had escaped from a jail in Newport News, Virginia were found at a nearby IHOP hours later on Tuesday morning.
On Monday night, during a routine head count around 7:00 p.m., the Newport News Jail Annex discovered that John M. Garza 37, and Arley V. Nemo, 43, were missing.
The two inmates had dug a hole through one of the jail walls using “primitive-made” tools made from a toothbrush and a metal object, which helped them access untied rebars in the wall. The two inmates had used the rebars to make their escape to the outer area, then scaled the outside wall and escaped the facility.
The two inmates were later found and apprehended at an IHOP, in the city of Hampton on Tuesday morning. Authorities were led to the IHOP after tips came in from the diners at the restaurant.
“I extend my gratitude to the Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, and the James City County Police Department for their assistance in our attempt to recapture these inmates,” Sheriff Gabe Morgan said in a statement. “Moreover, I’m thankful for the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at the IHOP and notified law enforcement. It reinforces what we always say, ‘see something, say something.’”
According to the sheriff’s office Garza was in custody on several charges which include contempt of court, probation violation, and failure to appear. Nemo was held on charges of credit card fraud, credit card larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, as well as contempt of court and probation violation.
Both inmates are now expected to face additional charges due to their escape.
The Newport News facility management and engineering teams are reinforcing the facility’s security. The sheriff’s office also said that they are conducting an internal investigation to reduce the chances of further escapes.
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